NEWARK, New Jersey – Kevin Holland had one of the nastiest endings in recent memory.
The UFC fan-favorite fighter defeated Michal Oleksiejczuk via technical submission on Saturday’s main card UFC 302. Oleksiejczuk (19-8 MMA, 7-6 UFC) refused to apply an armbar and Holland (26-11 MMA, 13-8 UFC) had no choice but to step forward. Although it was not confirmed, it appeared that Oleksiejczuk’s arm was broken, which is why the referee stopped the fight.
Holland knew Oleksiejczuk wouldn’t tap out and had to submit the armbar.
“When I first put him in the armbar, I heard a pop,” Holland said at the UFC 302 post-fight press conference. “After that, it didn’t pop anymore and I thought, ‘I’m going to have to take a complete break. I kept trying to get the Chihuahua to run away and then I managed to pull well.
“But the guy is tough and hit me with a good kick. I had a feeling. I fought John Phillips in my first UFC win and I had a feeling he would be like John Phillips, but better. I told my coaches, ‘He hits me with a good kick and this fight goes to the ground. He hit me with a good kick and the fight went to the ground.”
The Netherlands managed to recover from a two-game losing skid with victory. As for what comes next, Holland is hoping Vicente Luque pulls out of his welterweight fight against Nick Diaz on August 3 so he can step in as a replacement.
“Hopefully Luque leaves and I get Diaz.”
For more information on the card, visit the MMA Junkie events hub to UFC 302.
